When Shinji said this, although he mentioned the Mizukage, he was actually looking at Baki.
Baki's expression immediately fell, and he felt extremely speechless!
"This brat is extorting me, and he's extorting me!"
And "just received a secret report"...
I've been standing here for half a day, and you haven't moved at all. Did you receive it with your mind?
Besides, since it's a secret report, why are you saying it so openly in front of me, as if you're afraid I won't hear it? Is that okay?
Yet at this moment, Mei Terumī nodded solemnly as if it were true, her face filled with sadness. "This is all my fault as Mizukage. If I hadn't brought people away, perhaps this wouldn't have happened. Akagi, let's go back now, go..."
"No, Mizukage-sama! If we leave now, what will others think? They'll definitely suspect something is wrong with this joint Chūnin Exam, and Mist Hidden will surely incur Konoha's resentment!"
Baki: "..."
"Then what do you suggest? Should I just stand by and do nothing?"
Mei Terumī angrily slammed her palm on the table, making Baki's eyelids twitch.
Then she saw someone staring intently at Baki, sighing, "If only someone could help us at this time and mobilize some supplies to send back, that would be great. Then we wouldn't have to rush back and could 'cooperate' and wait until the Chūnin Exam is over."
"It's easy to say, but who would help us?"
Mei Terumī also looked at Baki.
Damn it!
Baki almost swore out loud on the spot!
These two shameless people!
Playing such a dirty trick?
Fight if you want to fight, but why spit and throw sand?
He wouldn't dare to agree to something like this on behalf of the village; he still needed to ask the Kazekage's opinion.
So Baki decisively started playing dead. "Eh, no matter what you say, I won't understand, okay!"
The answer was no.
Shinji suddenly exclaimed in surprise, "Didn't this lord just say that the people of Sand Hidden are very hospitable, honest, and simple? They also said that as long as they have a bite to eat, they would never let us go hungry. And they wouldn't do things like tricking and disgusting people like Konoha."
"Am I right, sir from Sand Hidden Village?"
These words instantly crushed Baki!
Because these were words he had just spoken, and only a few minutes had passed. If he denied them now, wouldn't it prove that Sand Hidden were also fickle and untrustworthy people?
Then what's the point of cooperating!
Wouldn't these two turn around and sell him out?!
It seemed impossible to get through this without shedding blood, but as long as the plan could proceed smoothly, the price paid now could be recovered tenfold or a hundredfold later.
Thinking this, Baki became much calmer.
"You flatter me, just call me Baki. The promises I made on behalf of Sand Hidden are indeed true and valid. However, the specific aid plan still needs to be discussed after returning. After all, the ultimate decision rests with the Kazekage. I hope Mizukage-sama can understand."
"That's naturally not a problem. However, the situation is urgent now. We hope the Kazekage can make arrangements as soon as possible. If there is no news by tomorrow morning, we will have no choice but to reluctantly take our leave from Konoha and return."
Looking at Shinji's smiling face, Baki's expression changed again.
He felt as if the other party had seen through his intention to stall for time.
"This guy is not simple!"
Baki began to be vigilant, but it was also normal. If he didn't have some ability, even if he was good at "serving," he wouldn't be able to gain the trust of a village leader.
However, regardless of his attention, in this world, it ultimately came down to who had the bigger fist.
Now, Baki only regarded Shinji as the Mizukage's strategist.
A short while later, Baki returned in a hurry, a stark contrast to his confident demeanor when he arrived.
Once only Mei Terumī and Shinji were left in the room, Mei Terumī finally couldn't help but laugh heartily, her two mounds of flesh shaking enticingly.
Shinji looked at them with a critical eye.
"How is it? Does it look good?"
Noticing his gaze, Mei Terumī showed no shyness. Instead, she deliberately puffed out her chest, showcasing her proud figure.
"It looks good."
Shinji answered honestly.
"Big?"
"Big, but not the biggest. I'll introduce you sometime if there's a chance."
"Get lost!"
Mei Terumī blocked him with her arm, covering her beautiful scenery. Clearly, his answer had not scored well, so the "welfare" was canceled.
Shinji didn't care. Looking a little less wouldn't shorten his lifespan, who was he kidding!
"Do you think the Kazekage will agree to such an unreasonable condition?"
"I don't think it's a big problem. Compared to what they need to give, what they're seeking is likely a greater benefit. Therefore, to eliminate you, this unstable X-factor, it's best to send you away with a little 'candy.' Moreover, Mist Hidden is currently weak. Konoha is not the only one who can control you. As long as Sand Hidden is willing, it's not impossible for them to make you spit out as much as you've gained. If they become even more aggressive, they might as well destroy Mist Hidden altogether. Anyway, you don't have much resistance left."
Shinji peeled two bananas and handed one to Mei Terumī.
Mei Terumī was very worried by his words, and even the banana in her hand lost its appeal.
"Then what should we do?"
"Not 'we,' but 'you.'"
"Me?"
"That's right. The situation is basically clear now. During this Chūnin Exam, Sand Hidden will undoubtedly have ulterior motives, and their target is likely Konoha. Therefore, your choice is very important: will you lean towards Sand Hidden, or help Konoha resist Sand Hidden's attack."
"Do I have to choose a side? Can't we remain neutral? We can just leave with our people."
"Of course, you can. The price is that afterward, no matter who wins, they will settle accounts with Mist Hidden. That's the price of neutrality!"
To dispel Mei Terumī's naive thoughts, Shinji said bluntly, "To remain neutral, you either need a transcendent status or strength that no one dares to provoke. Unfortunately, Konoha currently possesses neither."
"As the absolute underdog among the Five Great Ninja Villages, this is a good opportunity for Mist Hidden to rise again."
"As long as you bet on the right person and stand on the right side, Mist Hidden can then enter the arena as a victor and claim a share of the spoils."
"Furthermore, you will gain immense favor from one of the sides, which will be extremely beneficial for Mist Hidden's future development."
"The disadvantages of choosing this path also exist. The first is the problem of betting on the winner. If you win the bet, as I said earlier, Mist Hidden can quickly regain its vitality. But if you lose the bet, then you're basically finished. Be mentally prepared to be eliminated."
"The second issue is that as the weaker party, there is no guarantee that the eventual winner will fulfill their promises, rather than turning around and swallowing Mist Hidden whole."
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